Tracheostomy in critically ill patients

Abstract

ENT surgeons are called in more often these days to perform tracheostomy in critically ill patients. When to perform tracheostomy is a question, which is most often asked. There are definite advantages for performing tracheostomy at an early stage of intensive care, but at the same time we need to be aware of the possible complications that are associated with it. Tracheal stenosis being one of the most common complications, which can be prevented if proper care is taken from the time tracheostomy is done. © 2008 Association of Otolaryngologists of India.